Soil Structure & Compaction
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.
Evidence & Context
Therefore, a penetration resistance exceeding 2500 kPa (measured at field capacity) can be confidently established as the lower critical threshold, below which soil condition is considered significantly compromised for the purposes of sustainable production forestry.
Penetrometer resistance (PR) measured at or near field capacity, indicating soil mechanical strength that affects root growth.
Lower critical threshold where soil compaction severely restricts root growth.
Based on convergent evidence from Australian native tree studies and Mediterranean forest analogues indicating severe root growth restriction above this value.
Sources (1)
Resistance and resilience of the forest soil microbiome to logging ...
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Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Relationships between cone penetration resistance, bulk density, and moisture content in uncultivated, repacked, and cultivated hardsetting and non-hardsetting soils from the coastal lowlands of south-east Queensland, Australia
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